Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus having a plurality of display racks, each rack formed of a plurality of display devices. The display rack includes two spaced apart, parallel bars to which a series of individual devices are affixed. Each device has a back wall, a base and a closed peripheral rim. The back wall is attached to one of the parallel bars and to the base, and the base is attached to the other of the parallel bars. The back wall of the device also has a resilient member which exerts a force on a vase when it is placed in the device. The vase, which is to contain the flowers to be displayed, is placed in the display device by inserting it through the peripheral rim and then pushing it against the base of the device. In so doing, the vase is clamped in the device by a coaction of one of the elongated bars, the resilient member in the back wall, and the peripheral rim.

United States Patent [191 Monet et a1;

[451 Mar. 11, 1975 DISPLAY APPARATUS [75] Inventors: John E. Monet, Birmingham;

' Fredrick Brunette, Farmington,

both of Mich.

[52] US. Cl 211/74, 248/154, 248/311,

248/315 [51] Int. Cl A471) 73/00 [58] Field of Search 248/152, 311, 313, 310,

248/153, 146, 154, 315, 203, 148; 312/138 A; 211/75, 88, 4, 74; 232/41 E4n Wooten 211/75 UX 2,873,033 2/1959 Mapstone 211/85 X 3,131,011 4/1964 Rittenberry 211/74 X Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant ExaminerAbraham Franken Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hauke, Gifford, Patalidis & Dumont 57 ABSTRACT A display apparatus having a plurality of display racks, each rack formed of a plurality of display devices. The

display rack includes two spaced apart, parallelbars to which a series of individual devices are affixed, Each device has a back wall, a base and a closed peripheral rim. The back wall is attached to one of the parallel bars and to the base, and the base is attached to the other of the parallel bars. The back wall of the device also has a resilient member which exerts a force on a vase when it is placed in the device. The vase, which is to contain the flowers to be displayed, is placed in the display device by inserting it through the peripheral rim and then pushing it against the base of the device. In so doing, the vase is clamped in the device by a coaction of one of the elongated bars, the resilient member in the back wall, and the peripheral rim.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DISPLAY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to display devices and the like, and more particularly to display devices which clampinglyengage vessels, such as a vase containing cut flowers to be displayed for sale.

2. Description of the Prior Art In retail establishments, one problem with displaying cut flowers contained in a vase is that many times the vases are stolen from display booths or they are inadvertently removed with the flowers by those who think that the vase and the flowers are a part of a package. This is especially true when the vases of flowers are merely set on open shelves. Also because the vases contain water and nutrients to keep the cut flowers fresh, removal of the vases can cause the water to be spilled therefrom. If the vases are securely locked to the display racks in such a way that removal is impossible then cleaning the vases becomes difficult. In an effort to prevent removal of the display vases, some establishments display flowers in lockable glass enclosures. Drawbacks of the glass enclosure include the expense of the enclosure itself, and the lost employee time required to aid a customer in selecting flowers to purchase because the glass enclosure obviates self service by the prospective purchaser.

The present invention provides a shelf assembly for displaying cut flowers and the like including-an inexpensive device for deterring removal of display vases, while providing an open display allowing for purchaser self service and a means for removing the vases when they need cleaning.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a display apparatus which includes a plurality of-display devices in which vases to contain flowers are disposed.

Each display device includes a back wall, and a base upon which the vase rests. A curved wire member extending from the top end of the back wall to the front end of the base defines an opening through which the vase can be inserted.

The display device also includes a resilient member located in the back wall, and an opening defined at the front end of the base. When the vase is inserted through the opening defined by the wire member and pushed toward the base, the resilient means forces the vase toward the front end of the base, and pushes a bottom portion of the vase into the opening. The vase is then clamped into the display device by the coaction of the wire member, the resilient member and the opening at the front end of the base of the device and to remove the vase requires that it be pushed back against the resilient member so that the bottom portion of the vase will clear the opening at the front end of the base. This discourages removal of the vases with the cut flowers.

The invention also provides a display rack comprised of a side-by-side series of such display devices. Two elongated members are attached to the display devices to be included in the display rack. One of the elongated members is affixed to the top end of the back wall of each of the display devices, and the other elongated member is affixed to the front end of the base of each of the display devices. A series of display devices each attached to the same elongated members form a display rack.

A plurality of these display racks, each containing a series of display devices, may be used to form a display case by placing the display racks in parallel stepped relationship in a suitable framework.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa display case contain-. ing a plurality of display racks of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display device with a vase for containing flowers placed therein;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the display device of FIG. 2 showing avase in the process of being placed therein;

FIG. 4 is aside view of the display device of FIG. 2

showing a vase placed therein;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the display apparatus of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1' illustrates a display rack, generally denoted as 8, for holding a plurality of vases 10 to contain cut flowers to be displayed to prospective purchasers. The vases 10 are mounted in display devices 12.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 25 each of the display devices 12 is constructed of wire and includes a back wall, generally denoted as 14, a base, generally denoted as 16, and a curved member 18. The back wall 14 and base 16 are disposed at a right angle to each other, and are structurally associated with each other to form, in essence, a single structural member.

The back wall 14 is made up of two spaced apart, generally parallel first rod or wire members 20 disposed at to a horizontally extending rod 22 which is affixed to one of the ends of the first wire or rod members 20 at the top end of the back wall.

The base 16 is made up of two spaced apart, generally parallel second wire members 24 disposed at 90 to a second horizontally extending rod or wire 26 which I is affixed to one end of the second wire members 24 at the front end of the base. I

The first rod 22 is substantially parallel to thesecond rod 26.

The first wire members 20 and second 'wire members 24 are structurally associated with each other, as by welding, at their ends opposite the ends at which they are attached to the first and second rods 22, 26. Alternatively, each of the first wire members 20 may be integral with a different one of the second wire members 24.

The second rod 26 is spaced generally upward from, or above, the base 16 to define an opening, generally denoted as 28, between it and a plane containing the second wire members 24 of the base 16.

A resilient wire member, such as a generally L- shaped member 30 is positioned in the display device 12 so that it has its first leg 32 disposed between and parallel to the first wires 20 of the back wall 14, and has its second leg 34 disposed between and parallel to the second wires 24 of the base 16. The first leg 32 is not attached to any component of the display device 12 and is, therefore, free and is resiliently displaceable relative to the display device 12. The first leg 32 thereby constitutes a resilient element.

The second leg 34 and the second wire members 24 are generally in the same plane and are connected to-' gether by connecting members 36 which are located substantially transverse to the second wire members 24 and the second leg 34, and are attached thereto, as for example, by welding at their points of intersection, thus, forming a sturdy base 16.

The curved member 18 is illustrated as a closed peripheral rim constructed of wire and which receives the vessel, or vase l therethrough, such that when the vase 10 is in place in the display device 12, the closed peripheral rim18 is disposed around it. The closed peripheral rim 18 may be almost any shape, for example, oval. However, the closed peripheral rim 18 is illustrated in FIG. 5 as being formed of a first arcuate element, generally denoted as 38,'a second arcuate element, generally denoted as 40, and two tangential elements 42, 44 which connect the first arcuate element 38 to the second arcuate element 40. The first arcuate element 38 is larger than the bottom portion of the vase so that the bottom portion of the vase may be inserted therethrough, while the second arcuate element 40 is smaller than the bottom portion of the vase 10. The second arcuate element 40 interferes with the bottom portion of the vase and prevents the vase from being removed from the display device 12 by merely displacing it in its axial, or longitudinal direction after it has been positioned in the display device 12. The first arcuate element 38 is affixed to the first rod 22, and the second arcuate element 40 is affixed to the second rod 26.

Referring again to FIG. 1 the display rack 8 is comprised of a plurality of display devices 12 disposed in side-by-side relationship on a single continuous first rod 22 and on a single continuous second rod 26. The first wire members of a plurality of display devices are connected to the continuous first rod 22 and the second wire members 24 of the above mentioned display devices are connected to the continuous second rod 26.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the display case 8 may be formed of a plurality of rows of display racks 46 placed in parallel and stepped relationship in a suitable framework.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the vessel or vase 10 to contain flowers to be displayed is installed by first inserting the vase through that portion of the rim 18 which is larger than the bottom portion ofthe vase. Because the rim 18 is disposed at an angle to the back wall 14 and the base 16, the vase must be oriented at an angle to be inserted through the rim 18. The vase is forced downward toward the base 16 until a lip portion of the bottom of the vase is located between the second rod 26 and the second wire members 24 which form the base 16, and a portion of the bottom of the vase 10 contacts the resilient first leg 32 of the L-shaped member 30. Next, the vase 12 is rotated so that the vase rests upon the base 16 of the device 10. As viewed in FIG. 3, this rotation is clockwise. ln rotating the vase, the portion of the bottom of the vase in contact with the resilient first leg 32 displaces the leg 32 outwardly, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 3, and the portion of the bottom of the vase located between the second rod 26 and the base 16 is displaced into the opening 28 defined therebetween. The resilient first leg 32, having been displaced away from the vase, exerts a force which pushes the vase 12 into the opening 28 and against the second arcuate element 40 of the closed peripheral rim 18. FIG. 4 illustrates the vase 10 in the installed position. It should be noted that the portion of the vase 10 which extends into the opening 28 lies beneath the second arcuate element 40, i.e., between the second arcuate element 40 and the base 16. The vase is clamped in place, obviating its removal by an attempt to displace it in a longitudinal direction, i.e., straight up from the base 16 of the display device 12, because a bottom portion of the vase is displaced into the opening 28 beneath the second arcuate element 40 which is smaller than the bottom portion of the vase. The vase is retained in this position by a constant force applied on it by the resilient member 32. Because a certain amount of manipulation is required to unclamp a vase from the display device, the device of the present 'invention effectively deters removal of the vases and thus encourages the cut flowers contained therein to be removed for purchase while the vases remain in place to be replenished by a new stock ofcut flowers. The vases can contain water and nutrients to keep the flowers fresh and if cleaning is necessary the vases can be readily removed by proper manipulation of the vases.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In combination with a number of vases each having an enlarged lower lip portion, a display device for holding in place vases in side by side relationship, said display device comprising: a back wall; a base structurally associated with said back wall and upon which said vases rest; and clamping means to securely clamp each of said vases in position to said display device; each of said clamping means comprising a closed peripheral rim extending from said back wall and completely encompassing said vase; means formed adjacent said base for receiving the lip portion of said vase and a resilient member disposed opposite said lip portion receiving means and engaging said lip portion to urge the vase in a direction in which said lip portion extends into said lip portion receiving means to thereby securely clamp said vase to said display device.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said back wall includes a generally horizontally disposed first elongated member affixed to said top end of said back wall;

said base includes a generally horizontally disposed second elongated member affixed to said front end of said base;

said first elongated member being substantially parallel to said second elongated member; said closed peripheral rim being attached to said first and second elongated members; I

said back wall comprises at least two spaced apart, generally parallel first bars disposed at right angles to said first horizontal elongated member;

said parallel first bars are each attached at one of their ends to said first horizontal elongated member;

said bottom comprises at least two spaced apart, generally parallel second bars disposed at right angles to said second horizontal elongated member;

said parallel second bars are each attached at one of their ends to said second horizontal elongated member;

said first bars are each associated at their other end to a different one of said second bars at their other ends;

said resilient member being a generally L-shaped member having a first leg located between and disposed substantially parallel to said two spaced apart first bars, and a second leg located between and disposed substantially parallel to said two spaced apart second bars; and

said first leg of said L-shaped member being free, and

being resiliently displaceable.

3. A display device as defined in claim 2, wherein said first bars of said back wall and said second bars of said bottom are integrally formed.

4. A display device as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said bottom includes said second bars and said second leg of said L-shaped member; and at least one connecting member disposed substantially transverse to said second bars and said second leg, and attached to each of said second bars and said second leg at their points of intersection. 5. A display device as defined in claim 4, wherein said closed peripheral rim comprises a first arcuate element, a second arcuate element and two tangential elements interconnecting said first and second arcuate elements;

said first arcuate element is attached to said first horizontal elongated member, and said second arcuate element is attached to said second horizontal elongated member; and said first arcuate element is larger than the lower lip portion of said vase, and said second arcuate element is smaller than the lower lip portion of said vase, such that the base of said vase is received through said first arcuate element when placing said vase in said device, and when said vase is in place in said device, said second arcuate element interferes with the lower lip portion of said vase when said vase is displaced in a longitudinal direction of said vase away from said base of said device. 

1. In combination with a number of vases each having an enlarged lower lip portion, a display device for holding in place vases in side by side relationship, said display device comprising: a back wall; a base structurally associated with said back wall and upon which said vases rest; and clamping means to securely clamp each of said vases in position to said display device; each of said clamping means comprising a closed peripheral rim extending from said back wall and completely encompassing said vase; means formed adjacent said base for receiving the lip portion of said vase and a resilient member disposed opposite said lip portion receiving means and engaging said lip portion to urge the vase in a direction in which said lip portion extends into said lip portion receiving means to thereby securely clamp said vase to said display device.
 1. In combination with a number of vases each having an enlarged lower lip portion, a display device for holding in place vases in side by side relationship, said display device comprising: a back wall; a base structurally associated with said back wall and upon which said vases rest; and clamping means to securely clamp each of said vases in position to said display device; each of said clamping means comprising a closed peripheral rim extending from said back wall and completely encompassing said vase; means formed adjacent said base for receiving the lip portion of said vase and a resilient member disposed opposite said lip portion receiving means and engaging said lip portion to urge the vase in a direction in which said lip portion extends into said lip portion receiving means to thereby securely clamp said vase to said display device.
 2. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein: said back wall includes a generally horizontally disposed first elongated member affixed to said top end of said back wall; said base includes a generally horizontally disposed second elongated member affixed to said front end of said base; said first elongated member being substantially parallel to said second elongated member; said closed peripheral rim being attached to said first and second elongated members; said back wall comprises at least two spaced apart, generally parallel first bars disposed at right angles to said first horizontal elongated member; said parallel first bars are each attached at one of their ends to said first horizontal elongated member; said bottom comprises at least two spaced apart, generally parallel second bars disposed at right angles to said second horizontal elongated member; said parallel second bars are each attached at one of their ends to said second horizontal elongated member; said first bars are each associated at their other end to a different one of said second bars at their other ends; said resilient member being a generally L-shaped member having a first leg located between and disposed substantially parallel to said two spaced apart first bars, and a second leg located between and disposed substantially parallel to said two spaced apart second bars; and said first leg of said L-shaped member being free, and being resiliently displaceable.
 3. A display device as defined in claim 2, wherein said first bars of said back wall and said second bars of said bottom are integrally formed.
 4. A display device as defined in claim 3 wherein: said bottom includes said second bars and said second leg of said L-shaped member; and at least one connecting member disposed substantially transverse to said second bars and said second leg, and attached to each of said second bars and said second leg at their points of intersection. 